Ricky Gervais‘ former career as an aspiring pop star has resurfaced online – leaving fans in both shock and awe of his previous image.
The Office creator, 62, Ricky began his attempt at a singing career in 1983, during his final year as a student at University College London, Gervais and university friend Bill Macrae formed the new wave pop duo Seona Dancing.
They were signed by London Records, which released two of their singles; More to Lose and Bitter Heart. The songs failed to make the UK Singles Chart.
Ricky has always been candid about his love of music – previously branding himself ‘a frustrated, failed musician’ – and while he did not break the charts, he left fans swooning when a performance from the 80s resurfaced on Thursday.
Tickled fans wrote: ‘Look at those cheekbones. What a fashion plate!… Jesus, what? Omg, i thought he always looked like a 50 yo… Yo wtf?! i never knew this until right now!… Whoa!… Holay fok! This is REAL… He has some Bowie swagger.’
While Ricky superfans will be all too aware of his early career path, a host of Instagram users were staggered by the funnyman’s former career.
Despite his limited success in music, he achieved greater mainstream fame the following year with his BBC television mock documentary series, The Office in 2001.
Ricky shed light on the fact that music seeps into his TV work, as he uses any outlet to showcase his work as a ‘frustrated, failed musician’.
His most iconic creation – The Office’s David Brent – is also a failed musician, with Ricky releasing mockumentary movie in 2016 following the fictional boss’ failed attempts at breaking the music charts.
Additionally, during David Bowie’s cameo in the second season of his hit show Extras in 2006 saw the esteemed artist break into song – composed by Ricky.
In 2016, during an appearance on Graham Norton he said: ‘I sneak a song into everything I do. I wrote a song for The Simpsons, I wrote a song with David Bowie for Extras. I’m a frustrated, failed musician.’
Graham then flashed up a promo shot from his Seona Dancing days – and he insisted that he had come over bashful due to his current look.
He said: ‘That’s called Seona Dancing, let’s move on. I’m not embarrased by [the throwback picture], I’m embarrassed by [my current look]. Everyone’s going, ‘What the f**k happened?’ I’ll tell you what happened: Pizza happened’.
While his career in music floundered – the superstar recently made history with his latest accolade, winning the first Golden Globe in new category Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television.
The British comedian previously insisted he had no chance of winning, but triumphed over Trevor Noah (Where Was I); Chris Rock (Selective Outrage); Amy Schumer (Emergency Contact); Sarah Silverman (Someone You Love) and Wanda Sykes (I’m An Entertainer).
He did not attend the ceremony in Beverly Hills on Sunday night, with comic Jim Gaffigan accepting the award for Ricky’s Netflix special Armageddon on his behalf.
While Ricky is no stranger to a Hollywood accolade and has previously won three Golden Globes for his work on The Office and Extras, his latest win no doubt raised eyebrows among his fellow celebrities.
Not only has the comic angered several stars by branding Hollywood ‘disgusting, pill-popping, sexually deviant scum’, but he has come under fire for his Armageddon special, in which he cracks jokes about terminally ill children.
Prior to the ceremony, Ricky told his followers on X, formerly Twitter: ‘I’m nominated for another Golden Globe tonight. This time for my Netflix special Armageddon. Won’t win, but it’s nice to still be up there in the mix, flying the flag.’
After his shock victory, he shared a selfie with his cat at home in London as he explained his absence from the American awards show.
He penned: ‘Thank you so much for all your lovely comments & kind words about my Golden Globe win. Best fans in the world. I’m playing a 200 seater tonight in King’s Cross doing new material. The glamour. Have a great day!’
While he was congratulated by many followers, he also wasn’t without criticism.
Among those who have hit out at the comic for his jokes is British disability charity Scope.
During the Netflix special, Ricky pokes fun at Make-A-Wish requests, saying: ‘I always say yes [to their requests]. And I always start the video the same way. I go “why didn’t you wish to get better? What, you f***ing retarded as well?”‘
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/articles.rss
Ciara Farmer
